What They're Saying: Baker's "Positive" Address Shows He's "Governed The Way He Promised"

BOSTON -- Governor Charlie Baker's first State of the Commonwealth address is being widely praised from all corners of the state - observers lauded his "positive" approach as he ticked through the "successful" reforms his administration achieved this year. Looking ahead, observers note that the Governor has significant political capital to spend as he plans to push agenda items like expanded charter schools, comprehensive energy reform, and tackling the addiction crisis.

Scot Lehigh, Boston Globe: Baker Has "Governed The Way He Promised"

"As he starts his second year in office, Baker has governed the way he promised. His smart steps have far outpaced his missteps, and he’s won over many skeptics.

"'The T’s failures last winter became a crisis, and I am proud to say that by working together we found and seized opportunity,' said Gov. Charlie Baker during his first State of the Commonwealth address. And that line alone sums up some of the major reasons why Baker has racked up sky-high approval ratings during his first year in office." (Jon Keller, "Keller @ Large: State Of The Governor," WBZ, 1/21/16)

"Last night Gov. Charlie Baker’s State of the State message was a timely reminder of what a mess this new administration was handed last year not just by Mother Nature but by all the self-inflicted wounds of eight years of Deval Patrick mismanagement.

"An ill-equipped and poorly functioning MBTA, a completely dysfunctional Health Connector, a Department of Children and Families that misplaced kids and a $1 billion deficit. Certainly the T and DCF are works in progress, but at least their problems are no longer glossed over with Corner Office rhetorical flights of fancy."(Editorial Board, "Mass. after the storm," Boston Herald, 1/22/16)

"Baker probably would like to spend more time explaining queueing theory but the speech attained a much more human dimension when he discussed the opioid crisis and charter schools. He has obviously been moved by the many families he has met across Massachusetts who have faced the torment of a loved one afflicted with opiate addiction. Four people a day dying in Massachusetts of opioid abuse is just too much. He spoke with pride of being a health care guy but made clear that his former industry has to clean up its act on over-prescription of opioids...."It wasn’t long ago that Baker was being attacked for a compassion deficit. Now it appears that the wonk we hired is deeply moved by the ordinary people he meets."(Maurice Cunningham, "Governor Empathy," WGBH / MassPoliticsProfs, 1/21/16)